Lê Văn Hưng

Who was Lê Văn Hưng?

Lê Văn Hưng was born in Hóc Môn, in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, and graduated from Thủ Đức Military Academy, 5th class, in 1955. He held many commands from company to battalion level. However, Hưng was perhaps best known as the "Hero of An Lộc" in 1972 when he commanded the 5th Division in defense of the city of An Lộc from the coordinated attacks of the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam forces in the Battle of An Lộc.

Living in a tiny underground bunker for almost three months, Hưng commanded soldiers of the 5th Division, the "famed" 81st Airborne Ranger, the 11th Airborne Brigade, the 21st Division and the Provincial Force of Bình Long Province. His forces repelled countless waves of attack by the North Vietnamese infantry, supported by Soviet-made T-54 tanks.

Hưng vowed, "If I’m still alive, An Lộc still stands." His strong determination to hold An Lộc at any cost, and the fighting spirit of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers, kept An Lộc from falling into communist hands.

Hưng was promoted to General in the field; and later commanded the 21st Division before becoming Deputy Commander of the 4th Military Region.